Bullying

A new report says fewer kids are being bullied in school. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 20 percent of students say they’ve been bullied. That’s the lowest amount since 2005.

Some Twin Cities students are speaking up about bullying by staying silent. Totino-Grace High School in Fridley launched a new campaign this week called “We Don’t Say.” It highlights seven words and phrases the students won’t use because of their meanings and how the words affect others.

Go to just about any school in the country, and you’ll probably find some type of anti-bullying program. Winona Senior High School is no different, but one teachers approach to combating bullying takes a step away from the norm.

The family of the Prior Lake father who is accused of retaliating in the wake of his kids’ alleged cyber bullying has responded to the national attention the incident has attracted. Recently, Brad Knudson posted a video on YouTube to show people how his 14-year-old daughter was being bullied via Snapchat.

A Prior Lake father is taking a unique approach to fight back against the family he says bullied his 14-year-old girl. He’s calling them out on YouTube by showing an offensive video sent to his African-American daughter. (Warning: Video contains strong language). Brad Knudson posted the video to show people how his daughter was being bullied with racist messages via Snapchat. The YouTube video he made late Monday already has over 58,000 views.

Local group PACER is known for helping families of children with disabilities, but this month their also bringing to light the issue of bullying. Their program running now is called the “We Will Generation,” which empowers kids to stop bullying.

The Minnesota Senate passed a bill Thursday to prevent bullying in Minnesota schools. But even though lawmakers support the idea of the Safe and Supportive Schools Act, it is still among the most controversial bills of the year at the Capitol. Minnesota has been in the national spotlight because of a rash of students committing suicides because of bullying.

Those for and against an anti-bullying bill gave emotional and passionate testimony Tuesday at the Senate Education Hearing at the State Capitol. Critics say language in the bill which protects specific group, including gays, threatens religious freedom. But supporters say the bill protects all students. Two-hundred people waited in line to get into the hearing. Many, like the Ross family of Forest Lake, were forced to watch in an overflow room. They support the bill because sixth-grader Jake Ross was bullied while in second grade.

Rep. Michele Bachmann spoke out against Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s recent decision to veto a measure that some say would’ve allowed businesses to refuse service to gay people. Bachmann (R-Minn.) was talking with a talk radio show host during the Conservative Political Action Conference last week.

A controversial DVD delivered to Minnesota lawmakers is raising eyebrows at the Capitol. It’s a 27 minute video making the case against an anti-bullying bill from a group called the Minnesota Child Protection League.

Hundreds of students held a rally at the State Capitol Monday in favor of a bill to put more teeth in the state’s anti-bullying law. At just 37 words, Minnesota’s bullying law among the shortest and weakest in the country.

Long before gay rights activists in Minnesota launched a successful campaign to legalize same-sex marriage, they were aiming for another high-profile goal: a state law protecting children from school bullies.

The southern Minnesota town of Blue Earth will become Orange Earth in support of October’s National Bullying Prevention Month. Orange is the designated color of bullying prevention. The 25-foot toga on the Green Giant statue in Blue Earth will turn orange Wednesday in support of bullying prevention.

Bullying is one of the most serious issues facing our kids today. While incidences of bullying have escalated in schools and on the playground, here are some tips that you can implement from home to help keep your child safe.

Often bullying stems from a lack of understanding of others. Whether it’s sexuality, race or even economic status, some find it easier to pick on others’ differences. Students at Wellstone International High School say bullying is almost a daily occurrence there.

Supporters of legislation to crack down on bullying in schools are vowing to press on next year after their bill got held up in the Minnesota Senate. A few dozen supporters of the bill gathered at the Capitol Monday.

The Minnesota House has passed a bill requiring all public school districts to create policies aimed at reducing bullying. The bill passed Monday by a vote of 72-57. It was introduced after a rash of high-profile bullying incidents in school districts across the state.